Conveyor Belt Cleaner System and Method of Manufacturing the Same

Abstract

A conveyor belt cleaner system and method of manufacturing the same comprising a common component support frame, and key components of: mounting bar, blade support and scraper blade wherein the scraper blade is removably secured within a reusable blade support so as to allow replacement of the scraper blade. Key components are manufactured at a first manufacturing location in long, standardized lengths and incorporated with the common component at a second location for assembly. The key components included standardized guide markings for cutting the key components into segments and aligning key components with one another. A plurality of apertures consisting of holes and slots are uniformly displaced along the key components to facilitate alignment of the components during assembly and securing of the components with fixing elements. The key components can be pre-cut and sold and shipped for point-of-sale display and sale in kit form together with corresponding tensioners.

1 . A method of installing a scraper blade on a conveyor belt system, the conveyor belt system comprising a conveyor belt and a support frame, the method comprising:
 obtaining a scraper blade, the scraper blade having an initial length;   modifying the scraper blade in a manner such that the scraper blade has a second length, the second length being less than the initial length; and then   securing the scraper blade to the support frame in a manner such that the scraper blade is biased against the conveyor belt.   
   
   
       2 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the scraper blade comprises demarcations indicative of blade length and wherein the step of modifying the scraper blade utilizes the demarcations. 
   
   
       3 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the scraper blade is devoid of metal. 
   
   
       4 . A method in accordance with  claim 3  wherein the scraper blade comprises a first portion of polymeric material having first hardness and a second portion of polymeric material having a second hardness, the second hardness being different from the first hardness. 
   
   
       5 . A method in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the scraper blade comprises a plurality of ridges that serve to indicate degrees of wear. 
   
   
       6 . A method comprising:
 manufacturing a conveyor belt scraper blade in a manner such that the scraper blade has a first length;   shipping the scraper blade to one of a distributor and an end user with the intention that one of the distributor and the end will cut the scraper blade to a shorter second length for installation on a conveyor belt system.   
   
   
       7 . A method in accordance with  claim 6  wherein the manufacturing of the scraper blade occurs in a manner such that the scraper blade comprises demarcations indicative of blade length. 
   
   
       8 . A method in accordance with  claim 6  wherein the manufacturing of the scraper blade occurs in a manner such that the scraper blade is devoid of metal. 
   
   
       9 . A method in accordance with  claim 6  wherein the manufacturing of the scraper blade occurs in a manner such that the scraper blade comprises a first portion of polymeric material having first hardness and a second portion of polymeric material having a second hardness, the second hardness being different from the first hardness. 
   
   
       10 . A method in accordance with  claim 6  wherein the manufacturing of the scraper blade occurs in a manner such that the scraper blade comprises a plurality of ridges that serve to indicate degrees of wear.